--ANNOUNCEMENT: International summer school in functional traits, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic
--The course is targeted mostly to MSc and PhD students, however postdocs and researchers or professors wanting to explore this approach are welcome. The course is 5 intensive days; much of the time is in the form of lectures given by professors, covering general aspects of functional ecology, including definitions, measurements and different applications of functional traits. Lectures include (a) presentation of concepts and theory related to functional plant traits; (b) analysis of traits at organismal, community and ecosystem levels (including relationship to ecosystem function); (c) examples of use for land use change, climate change, multi-trophic interactions; (d) presentation of available data banks and their correct use, touching on ecoinformatics. Although most of the examples and work will be focused on plant traits, the course is not necessarily targeted only for plant ecologists. The detailed program will be available in March on the web page (see below). Recommended readings are included on the page, to prepare before the course. --Students will have the opportunity to put in practice what they learn. The course includes measurement of traits in the field in teams (supervised by professors), followed by analyses, interpretation and presentation of collected data by students groups at the end of the week. Registered students, when interested, can also briefly present their research topic to the group for discussion (specific instructions will follow). PROFESSORS: --Francesco de Bello (host), University of South Bohemia --Eric Garnier , Centre d'écologie fonctionnelle et évolutive, Montpellier --Jitka Klimešová, University of South Bohemia --Jan Lepš, University of South Bohemia --Alison Munson, Université Laval, Canada (co-organizer) --Juan Posada, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia --Bill Shipley, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada COURSE DATES: -- May 29 (arrival) to June 3, 2016 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: -- March 14, 2016 APPLICATION and CONDITIONS: --Submit a letter of motivation and CV to Francesco de Bello: [email protected] --We have no citizenship requirements. Anyone is welcome to apply. You must obtain visas independently if necessary; we can provide letters to support your visa application. -- Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. You will have a response to your application within two weeks of applying, in order to facilitate travel plans. --You must have medical insurance --Visit course webpage here: http://tinyurl.com/gm6drzf COURSE FOR CREDIT: -- For students in Canada, contact Alison Munson for information about crediting the course: [email protected] COST: -- Roughly 300 US$, (440 Canadian$, 280 euros). The fee includes all lectures, field sampling, accommodations for up to 6 nights (from Sunday 29th May to Saturday 4th June), all breakfasts, coffee breaks and lunches during the course. Please bring a sleeping bag for the field trip (in dormitories). --For questions and applications, please contact Francesco de Bello : [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
